You probably know the cliché that small dogs have a tendency to make noise. Barking is the means of communication for these animals, which try to make us understand that they need something (food, water, affection or reassurance) or who warn us of the arrival of intruders. Bites usually, if given aggressively, are a desperate attempt to attract a person's attention. You can't expect your dog to stop barking altogether, but you can manage episodes where he makes too much noise and make him stop biting with simple training.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Get Your Dog to Stop Barking
Step 1. Learn about the breeds that bark the most
Some breeds bark more than others, and by knowing them, you can avoid bringing home an animal that will make too much noise in the future. Below you will find an incomplete list of the loudest dog breeds:
- Affenpinscher.
- American Water Spaniel.
- Dachshund.
- Beagle.
- Bichon à poil frisé.
- Chihuahua.
- Chow Chow.
- Cocker Spaniel.
- Maltese.
- Pomeranian.
- American Spitz.
- Some Terrier breeds.
Step 2. Find out why your dog is barking
He might do this because his breed was specifically bred to develop that trait. For example, guard dogs must warn humans of potential dangers and prevent some animals from approaching. However, there are many reasons why a dog can bark; understanding why yours does this can be helpful if you want to train him to quit.
- Barking to defend their territory is the most common form of communication for dogs. These animals often bark aggressively to alert other animals - including humans - that the area is occupied by a dog and his family. Usually this behavior tends to protect not only the home, but also the places frequented most often, such as the owner's car or the journey taken during walks.
- The second most common reason why dogs bark is to sound the alarm. Many of these animals do so when a guest or an intruder approaches their home, in order to alert their owners of the danger.
- Dogs that bark to get attention can give you many problems. Usually, this behavior develops when the animal is rewarded by its owner, who tries to make him stop barking with food or attention. The dog associates rewards with his barking and gets used to communicating to get what he wants.
- Dogs that bark or whine to say hello are just trying to show their affection, but they can overdo it and become annoying.
- Dogs don't always need a catalyst to start compulsive barking. This habit can be a symptom of separation anxiety and is often accompanied by repetitive motions, such as running back and forth.
- Many dogs bark to socialize. They do this in response to the barking of other specimens of the species to warn them to stay away or to try to communicate.
- When a dog is unable to move as much as he would like, he may bark out of frustration, or because he is trying to socialize.
- Some dogs bark to indicate pain or discomfort to their owners. Before you try to train your pooch by teaching him to shut up, you should have him examined by a vet to make sure he is not suffering from any health problems.
Step 3. Manage the episodes in which your dog barks to defend the territory or to raise the alarm
Often this habit is not entirely unwanted, but if the animal were to take it to excess, it could become a problem.
- If your dog makes too much noise when it sees another specimen of its kind or a person, try to limit its ability to look outside. Close the curtains, or confine it to a part of the house that does not face the street. Try playing ambient sounds inside the house to block out the noises of neighbors' dogs.
- Slowly and gradually try to accustom your dog to the presence of other dogs. This therapy can help desensitize him to the sight and noises of other animals, but it must be applied with great patience and without haste.
Step 4. Correct your dog's habit of greeting by barking
In this case, your pet tries to communicate in a friendly way. You must be careful not to give him the impression of not being happy to see him, but there are remedies to minimize the frequency of these episodes.
- Do not attach great importance to greetings. Have your dog sit and stand whenever someone rings the doorbell.
- Reward him with tidbits and praise every time he welcomes you without barking too much.
Step 5. Tackle your dog's habit of barking to get your attention
This is the worst case, because if your pet communicates for this reason it does not offer you any benefit. Over time, you will be able to make him stop, but to correct the problem you need perseverance and discipline.
- Ignore him when he barks for no reason. It will be frustrating and your patience may be overwhelming, but it is important that you stop associating his barking with your attention.
- As soon as he stops barking, order him to sit down, then reward him with praise and treats. Over time, he will learn to associate your attentions with his obedience and not with his vocalizations.
- You must have patience and be constant. Any change of course during the training could make your dog return to its old unwelcome habits.
Step 6. Help a dog that barks compulsively
It can be difficult to solve this problem with training, because the animal barks by instinct and not as a reaction to an external factor.
- Try to confine him to a new space and in a different way. For example, take it from the garden to a room in the house, or keep it in a small fence instead of tying it up.
- Offer him more distractions. You can give him intense physical activity, or give him more interactive toys, because mental and physical stimulation can limit his tendency to compulsive barking.
Step 7. Manage the episodes in which your dog barks for socializing
You can do this by following a strategy similar to that described in the passage on particularly territorial dogs, limiting your pet's exposure to external stimuli (in this case, the ability to see or hear other dogs outside the home).
Step 8. Troubleshoot your dog if he barks because he is getting frustrated
This is not a completely different habit from barking to seek your attention, because when the animal has the impression that its behavior is "rewarded" with care and rewards, it will continue to keep it. When he is used to the fact that you react to his attempts to communicate due to impatience (just before a walk, for example), you will have to break this routine and it will not be easy.
- Teach your dog to sit, sit still and wait for you. These simple orders can help you minimize or completely eliminate his tendency to bark in frustration.
- Try signing him up for an obedience class. Such training can go a long way in correcting your four-legged friend's bad habits and attitudes aimed at attracting your attention. By replacing negative behaviors with positive, reward-based behaviors, you can "reprogram" the way your dog views his relationship with you.
Step 9. Take your dog to a certified professional trainer
Look for one on the internet.
It is important to read up on a trainer before deciding to work with him. Even if a professional has received a certification, you should still look for reviews from other owners to see if they are compatible with your dog
Step 10. Consider using an anti-bark collar
You should only resort to this solution if all the others have not worked, as animal experts advise against electric collars, which can cause potential discomfort for dogs. In most cases, training alone can correct your pet's behavioral problems, thanks to positive reinforcement. The anti-bark collars, on the other hand, work by transmitting an unpleasant sensation to your dog, such as an electric shock or an ultrasonic frequency. These tools work, but they make use of negative reinforcement. In the long run, it is better to get your dog to work with training and obedience courses, because over time he would understand that it is the collar that gives him the "punishment" and could go back to behaving in an undesirable way.
Method 2 of 2: Get Your Dog to Stop Biting
Step 1. Find out why your dog bites
Small playful bites, or the habit of putting people's hand in their mouths without causing them pain, are normal social behavior. Conversely, if your pet bites aggressively, it can cause a lot of problems and their habit can become chronic if not corrected in a timely manner.
Step 2. Teach your dog to play gently
He may not fully understand the limits to be respected and may not realize he is biting too hard. You should teach him not to bite from a young age, so as to prevent unpleasant episodes in the future.
- Stop playing with him as soon as he bites you. This will help him understand what caused you pain.
- Wait 10 minutes for him to calm down after he bites you from too much agitation. Give him your hand and, if he bites you again, repeat the training.
- Whenever the animal has a mild and delicate attitude, praise it and give it a treat.
- Start by moving slowly and eventually move your hand faster when playing with your dog. This allows him to gradually get used to a faster way of playing, without feeling surprised and developing aggression.
- If you think it can bite other dogs, you should muzzle it or avoid letting it meet other dogs of its kind.
Step 3. Use toys as substitutes
If your dog bites you to play, he may need to vent his energy in another way. Try making him munch on a bone or chewable toy.
- Encourage playtime moments where there is little or no contact. For example, by playing fetch or tug-of-war, your dog will be much less tempted to bite you than if you wrestle.
- If he has a habit of biting your ankles when you stand or walk around the house, try carrying a toy he likes in his pocket. When he bites you, show him the toy and encourage him to play with it. Praise him as soon as he stops biting you. Over time, you should be able to stop carrying the toy and train your dog by stopping walking or moving.
Step 4. Make the animal understand that it is misbehaving
Try making a dog-like yelp every time it bites you. You may be able to communicate to him in a language that he can understand that the action he performed caused you pain. After you whine, ignore him for 30-60 seconds so that he knows you are angry with him.
Step 5. Try using a spray bottle
Most dogs love to be in the water, but a sudden splash on the face surprises them and causes them discomfort. For this reason, many trainers see it as an effective method of correcting unwanted behaviors without causing real pain.
- Yell at your dog and say "No" every time he bites you.
- Spray him with clean water immediately after yelling at him.
Step 6. Consider using a bad-tasting deterrent
If no other solution has corrected your dog's habit, you can try applying a product with an unpleasant taste on the hands and ankles (or in all the places that the animal bites).
- One of the most used deterrents is the bitter apple spray. It is non-toxic and its flavor is an effective repellent for almost any dog.
- Use the deterrent for at least two weeks. At that point, the animal should have understood that it should not bite you and you can stop applying the product.
Advice
- Be patient and constant during the training.
- Small dogs are particularly delicate, so remember to be very careful not to give them too violent physical punishment.
- Try to be as objective as possible when considering your contribution to your dog's problems. If you realize you are agitating the animal, you need to correct your behavior. However, avoid punishment, just like you have to do with your four-legged friend.
- If you decide to go with the spray bottle method, punish your dog no more than once or twice when he misbehaves. Spray the water directly on his face to get the best effect. If it whines, don't worry - it's just the shock of the surprise.
